Visitor Services and Welcome Center Associate

The International Crane Foundation (ICF) headquarters in Baraboo, Wisconsin, is renowned as the only place in the world where you can experience all 15 species of the world’s cranes—one of the most endangered families of birds in the world. But our Baraboo headquarters is much more. It is home to a captive breeding flock of more than 100 cranes, a place where Endangered Whooping Cranes are reared for reintroduction to the wild, where more than 250 acres of restored prairie, wetland, and savanna supports diverse wildlife, and a center for dedicated professionals who support a worldwide conservation mission. ICF started 50 years ago as a dream of two college students and has grown to a world-renowned conservation organization with staff, programs, and offices across Asia, Africa, and North America. Our Visitor Services and Gift Shop Associate will be trained to be a frontline visitor support person during our visitor season and assist with our web-based gift shop. We are currently looking for passionate staff for our visitor season. Rewards include a starting wage of $14.75 per hour, 1 year membership to ICF, employee discount in the gift shop, and great reciprocity discounts for local and national organizations.

What is it like to work at ICF? Prepare to be surrounded by people who are passionate for our mission, dedicated to the organization, and engaged with their fellow staff and associates. You will find dedication in all levels of the organization from staff and volunteers to our dedicated Board Members. You will play a critical role in fulfilling our mission across the U.S. and our partner countries around the world. 

Position Summary:

The Visitor Services and Gift Shop (VSGS) Associate position supports the mission of the International Crane Foundation (ICF) as a member of the frontline team at the George Archibald Welcome Center (GAWC). We are open to the public (“the season”) from May 1 through October 31 each year. Additional hours may be available before or after these dates to assist with preparation for the season, special events, offsite retail opportunities, and e-commerce support. During the season, the VSGS Associate provides exceptional customer service by welcoming all visitors to our public site. Responsibilities include selling admissions, memberships, and supporting all gift shop operations. VSGS Associates sell branded, proprietary, educational, fair trade, and environmentally friendly merchandise in the GAWC at ICF’s headquarters in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The successful candidate will be part of a skilled team that is integral in creating a welcoming and engaging environment for members and guests.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create a customer service experience and retail atmosphere to best support ICF’s mission. Be knowledgeable and able to speak to the mission of the International Crane Foundation.
• Promote ICF membership to guests by informing them of the benefits and how their membership supports ICF’s conservation work around the globe.
• Assist customers with admission, merchandise sales and inquiries, special requests, as well as administering member and staff discounts, utilizing the POS system for all transactions.
• Coordinate with CED (Conservation Education Dept) team to check in group tours and facilitate in-depth educational experiences for visitors.
• Perform all tasks associated with visitor center and retail operations at the direction of the Visitor Services and Gift Shop Manager or Assistant Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Work as a constructive member of a team, including the free sharing of information and technical expertise as needed.
• Demonstrate respect and sensitivity for others; inspire trust; and work with integrity and ethically. Ability to engage diverse visitors to ICF.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, including speaking clearly and persuasively to individuals and groups in positive or negative situations; listening effectively; responding well to questions from the public.
• Able to read and interpret written information.
• Knowledge of basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication and calculating percentages.
• Punctual and reliable.
• Familiar with Microsoft Word suites; E-mail, Internet.
• Attention to detail and thoroughness.
• Ability to identify problems, collect, organize, analyze information, and make appropriate decisions or recommendations within defined scope of responsibilities.
• Responsiveness to management direction; Able to follow organizational policies and procedures
• Observes safety and security procedures.
• Commitment to the mission of the International Crane Foundation.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of POS software.
• One to two years’ experience in retail sales.
  • Retail experience in a non-profit, museum, zoo, or fair-trade organization.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical abilities and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to operate computer and phones.
• Ability to communicate with fellow staff, visitors, and donors. Communication will include both one-to-one communication and group communication. Communications needs to be in English. Communication means both written and oral communication.
• Ability to move around visitor center and store assisting customers.
• Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to spend long periods of time stocking and packing merchandise. This includes bending, stooping, and reaching.
• Work environment is typically indoor, clean, and climate controlled, though trips across campus are required.
• Noise is typical with that of a store and can vary from moderate to occasionally loud when groups are present.

For more information, please visit our website at www.savingcranes.org

To apply send cover letter and resume as single document to icfjobs@savingcranes.org

Please list subject: Visitor Services

“ICF is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. We hire great people.”

ICF is an equal opportunity employer.